The Sherman Brothers wrote more motion-picture musical song scores than any other songwriting team in film history, working for Walt Disney during the last six years of his life. Film scores of the Sherman Brothers include Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Jungle Book and The Aristocats.
Life and work
Robert and Richard Sherman began writing songs together in 1951 on a challenge from their father, Tin Pan Alley songwriter Al Sherman. The brothers wrote together and with different songwriting partners throughout the rest of the decade.
In 1958, Robert founded the music publishing company Music World Corporation, which later enjoyed a landmark relationship with Disney's BMI-affiliated publishing arm, Wonderland Music Company. That same year, the Sherman Brothers had their first top-ten hit with "Tall Paul," sung by Mouseketeer Judy Harriet on the Surf Records label and then covered by Mouseketeer Annette Funicello. The success of this song yielded the attention of Walt Disney, who eventually hired the Sherman Brothers as Staff Songwriters for Walt Disney Studios. The first song they wrote on personal assignment by Walt Disney was "Strummin' Song" in 1961. It was used in the Annette Funicello made-for-television movie called The Horsemasters.
While at Disney, the Sherman Brothers wrote more motion-picture musical scores than any other songwriters in the history of film. They also wrote what is perhaps their best-known song, "It's a Small World (after all)" for the 1964 New York World's Fair. Since then, some have claimed that this has become the most translated and performed song on Earth, although this is largely justified by the fact that it is played continuously at Disney's leisure park rides of the same name.
In 1965, the Sherman Brothers won two Academy Awards for Mary Poppins, which includes the songs "Feed The Birds," "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," and the Oscar-winning "Chim Chim Cher-ee." Since Mary Poppins' premiere, the Shermans have subsequently earned nine Academy Award nominations, two Grammy Awards, four Grammy Award nominations, and an incredible 23 gold- and platinum-certified albums.
Robert and Richard Sherman worked directly for Walt Disney, completing the scores for the live-action musical films The Happiest Millionaire and The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band until Disney's death in 1966. Since leaving the company, the brothers have worked freelance as songwriters on scores of motion pictures, television shows, theme-park exhibits, and stage musicals.
Their first non-Disney assignment came with Albert R. Broccoli's motion picture production Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 1968, which garnered the brothers their third Academy Award Nomination.
In 1970, the Shermans returned to Disney for a brief stint where they completed work on The Aristocats and Bedknobs & Broomsticks. The latter film garnered the brothers their fourth and fifth Oscar Nominations, respectively. 1972 saw the release of Snoopy Come Home, for which the brothers received a Grammy nomination.
In 1973, the Sherman Brothers also made history by becoming the only Americans ever to win First Prize at the Moscow Film Festival for Tom Sawyer, for which they also authored the screenplay.
In 1976, “The Slipper and the Rose” was picked to be the Royal Command Performance of the year. The performance was attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. A modern musical adaptation of the classic Cinderella story, "Slipper", also featured songs, score, and screenplay by the Sherman Brothers. Two further Academy Award nominations were garnered by the brothers for the film. That same year the Sherman Brothers received their star on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame" directly across from Grauman's Chinese Theater.
The Sherman Brothers' numerous other Disney and non-Disney top box office film credits include The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats (1970), The Parent Trap (1961), The Parent Trap (1998), Charlotte's Web (1973) , The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh (1977), Snoopy, Come Home (1972), Bedknobs & Broomsticks (1971), and Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1992).
Outside the motion-picture realm, their Tony Award-nominated smash hit Over Here! (1974) was the biggest-grossing original Broadway musical of that year. The Sherman Brothers have also written numerous top selling songs including "You're Sixteen," which holds the distinction of reaching Billboard's #1 spot twice: first with Johnny Burnette in 1960 and then with Ringo Starr fourteen years later. Other top-ten hits include "Pineapple Princess," "Let's Get Together," and more.
In 2000, the Sherman Brothers wrote the song score for the Disney film The Tigger Movie. This film marked the brothers' first major motion picture for the Disney company in over 28t years.
In 2002, Chitty hit the London stage, receiving rave revues. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is currently the most successful stage show ever produced at the London Palladium, boasting the longest run in that century-old theater's history. On April 28, 2005, a second Chitty company premiered on Broadway (New York City) at the Hilton Theatre. The Sherman Brothers wrote an additional six songs specifically for the new stage productions. A successful third company of Chitty is currently touring throughout the United Kingdom.
In 2003, four Sherman Brothers' musicals ranked in the Top 10 Favorite Children's Films of All Time in a British nationwide poll reported by the BBC. The Jungle Book (1967) ranked at #7, Mary Poppins (1964) ranked at #8, The Aristocats (1970) ranked at #9, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) topped the list at #1.
In recent years, with Robert's move to London, England, United Kingdom, the brothers have written many new songs for the stage musical presentations of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Poppins, produced collaboratively by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh.
For their contributions to the motion picture industry, the Sherman brothers have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6918 Hollywood Blvd. and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 9, 2005. On November 16, 2006, Mary Poppins premiered at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Broadway.
On November 17, 2008 the Sherman Brothers received the National Medal of Arts which is the highest honor conferred upon artists or patrons of the arts by the United States Government. The award was presented by United States President, George W. Bush in an East Room ceremony at The White House.
That's What Friends Are For
Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're your friends
We're your friends to the bitter end
When you're alone
Who comes around
To pluck you up
When you are down
And when you're outside, looking in
That's what friends are for!
Who's always eager to extend
A friendly claw?
That's what friends are for!
And when you're lost in dire need
Who's at your side at lighting speed?
We're friends with every creature
Comin' down the pike
In fact we never met an animal
We didn't like, didn't like
So you can see
We're friends in need
And friends in need
Are friends indeed
We'll keep you safe
In the jungle for evermore!
That's what friends are for!
The song "That's What Friends Are For" by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman is an upbeat and catchy tune that celebrates the importance of friendship. The lyrics convey the idea that true friends are always there to support and uplift one another in both good times and bad.
The first verse emphasizes the loyalty of friends, stating that they will stick by your side until the very end, offering a helping hand when you feel lonely or down. The chorus then focuses on the reliability of friends, highlighting their willingness to come to your aid and open doors for you, both figuratively and literally. The song suggests that friends are always ready to lend a helping hand and support you when you need it most.
The second verse introduces the idea of friends being there for you even in dire situations. It portrays friends as being by your side in times of urgent need, demonstrating their commitment and loyalty. The subsequent lines express the idea that friends are accepting of all creatures, never discriminating based on species. They have a genuine love for animals, showing that their friendship extends beyond human companionship.
Overall, the song "That's What Friends Are For" showcases the importance of having true friends who offer unwavering support, understanding, and love. It emphasizes the essence of friendship and the comfort and strength it provides, especially during challenging times.
Line by Line Meaning
We're your friends
We are loyal companions who will always be there for you.
We're your friends to the bitter end
We will stand by you through thick and thin, never wavering in our support.
When you're alone
During times of solitude and sadness,
Who comes around
We are the ones who come to your side
To pluck you up
To uplift and comfort you
When you are down
When you are feeling low and discouraged
And when you're outside, looking in
When you feel excluded or left out
Who's there to open the door?
We are the ones who welcome you with open arms and include you in our group
That's what friends are for!
This is the true essence of friendship – being there for each other no matter what
Who's always eager to extend
We are always ready and enthusiastic to offer
A friendly claw?
A helping hand or paw
That's what friends are for!
This is the genuine nature of friendship – providing support and assistance
And when you're lost in dire need
When you find yourself in desperate situations
Who's at your side at lightning speed?
We are the ones who rush to be by your side without hesitation
We're friends with every creature
We form connections and bonds with all living beings
Comin' down the pike
That come our way or cross our path
In fact, we never met an animal
In truth, there isn't an animal
We didn't like, didn't like
That we dislike or are hostile towards
So you can see
This demonstrates
We're friends in need
We provide support and assistance during times of hardship
And friends in need
And friends who require help
Are friends indeed
Are truly genuine friends
We'll keep you safe
We will protect and secure your well-being
In the jungle for evermore!
In any challenging situation forever!
That's what friends are for!
Because that is the fundamental purpose and role of genuine friends
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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